Cascadia today: Detention center must admit WA health inspectors + dry spring hurts BC bees + adding kitsch to a classic OR church design

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Judge rules WA health officials can inspect detention center

Washington State Standard reports that a federal judge ruled that Washington state health officials may inspect areas of the NW Detention Center in Tacoma, an immigration jail run by the private contractor GEO Group. "The law is clear, yet the owner of this facility, The GEO Group, has continued to obstruct our efforts to ensure they are following state law,” said governor Bob Ferguson. Meanwhile, two lawsuits filed against the Trump regime's use of tear gas and other non-lethal munitions at the Portland ICE facility will have another chance in court, OPB reports. And KUOW reports that federal immigration officials are ramping efforts to deport undocumented minors in Seattle.

This deportation campaign is about making life miserable for our immigrant neighbors. It is cruel and racist and must stop.

King County & Seattle partially dismantle homeless agency

The Urbanist reports on a plan by King County executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson to partially dismantle the troubled King County Regional Homeless Authority after an audit revealed $13 million in unaccounted spending. This, as homelessness continued to rise 9% in the county over 2024. PubliCola reported earlier this month that the plan will largely return homeless policy to the status quo before KCRHA existed, with county and city taking separate roles.

Wildfires burn in BC; Chelan "Hobbit Inn" destroyed

CBC reports that wildfires near Boston Bar in British Columbia's interior are burning vigorously – one of 17 wildfires currently burning in BC. Meanwhile, the Chelan Hills Fire in central Washington is 75% under control, but the beloved "Hobbit Inn" guest house near Chelan was destroyed in the fire. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dumped fuel on the climate fire by announcing three new oil pipelines, including one to coastal BC.

Dry spring reduced number of BC bees

CBC reports that researchers are finding that this year's extremely dry spring had reduced the number of bees outside of Kamloops, British Columbia. Bees are critical pollinators and the loss could also affect honey production in the province.

OR church hires Trump Arch architect to add kitsch

Oregon Arts Watch reports that Christ the King Church in the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, is going to add kitschy Romanesque details on top of a classic working on Donald Trump's gaudy triumphal arch in Washington DCmodernist wood design by noted architect Pietro Belluschi. And the architecture firm hired to desecrate the simple, elegant design? Harrison Design – which is also working on Donald Trump's gaudy triumphal arch in Washington DC. Gross.

Thanks for reading. Keep loving and keep fighting. --Andy